Geiranger
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Geiranger is a small tourist town in the western part of Norway in the region called Sunnmøre in the municipality of Stranda. It lies at the head of the Geirangerfjord, which is a branch of the Storfjord. The nearest city is Ålesund. Geiranger is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, and has been named the best travel destination in Scandinavia by Lonely Planet. Since 2005, the Geirangerfjord has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Norway's third biggest cruise-ship port receives 140 - 180 ships during the four-month tourist season. Several hundred thousand people pass through every summer, and tourism is the main business for the 250 people who live there permanently. There are five hotels and over ten camping sites. The tourist season stretches from May to early September; in the off-season the pace and activity are reduced to that of a normal small Norwegian town.
Each year in June, the Geiranger - From Fjord to Summit event occurs. It comprises a half marathon run and a bicycle race, both starting from the sea level at the fjord and ending at the 1,497 m (4,843 ft) summit of Mount Dalsnibba. As there is still a lot of snow left in the mountains at that time of year, the race could also be called From Summer to Winter.
Geiranger is under constant threat from the mountain Åkerneset which could erode into the fjord. A collapse could cause a tsunami that could destroy downtown Geiranger.
[edit] External links
- geiranger.no
- Destinasjon Geirangerfjord - Trollstigen
- Hotel Union Geiranger
- Image from Geiranger
- Geiranger Fjordsenter Geiranger
- Geiranger - From Fjord to Summit
- UNESCO World Heritage
 |
This Møre og Romsdal location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
